Census rehearsals take place across UK

The next census takes place on 21^st March 2021.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is running a census rehearsal in four areas in England and Wales: Carlisle, Ceredigion, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

In Scotland, the rehearsal is taking place in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow City and Na h-Eileanan Siar, run by the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is holding a rehearsal in South & East Belfast, Craigavon and West Fermanagh.

The census rehearsal date was yesterday, Sunday 13th October, but households invited to take part have a few weeks to complete their questionnaires.

Rehearsals allow the three agencies responsible for the census to test their systems and processes ahead of the count, which happens every 10 years.

The census in 2021 is the first to be conducted predominantly online.